Where in the World is Connie?

Why would someone with a good career, great paying job, nice home, new car, and a comfortable lifestyle in Canada want to give it all up? Am I crazy? Am I having a midlife crisis? Well, maybe, but I did it anyway ... I quit my job, put my things in storage, rented out my house and sold my car. I crammed all my possessions into a couple of backpacks, said tearful farewells to family and friends, and set off on my "adventure of a lifetime".

Since August 2003, I've visited some countries of Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar), India, Oman, the Caribbean and some countries in Europe (France, Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, Holland, Germany, Czech Rep, Austria, Spain). I've traveled extensively through South America (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Easter Island, Uruguay, and Paraguay) and headed further south to reach my best ever destination, Antarctica. I've returned to Canada a few times along the way to visit family and friends and have since sold my house, breaking further ties to my old life. I've also traveled a bit through Central America (Costa Rica and Nicaragua), lived in northern Chile for 4 months, and most recently find myself in the Caribbean.

So am I crazy? Am I having a midlife crisis? Well, maybe, but I don't care ... the world is big and there are still a lot of countries on my "to visit" list. I've been introduced to some fascinating new places & cultures, and sometimes to some pretty strange lifestyles & customs. I've seen how other people live - the good, the bad, and the ugly - and I've realized how truly blessed and absolutely privileged my life has been. I've changed, travel does that to a person, and I like who I've become. It's been an amazing journey of discovery - both about others and about myself.

"Sell the house, sell the car, sell the kids, I ain't never coming home."Excerpt, Marlon Brando, Apocalypse Now

***********Welcome to my trip journal. This is a centralized place where I try to keep people who are interested up to date on what I've been doing as I bounce around the globe. I have a blast writing about my experiences, and I hope you enjoy traveling along with me!

Connie

(Note: If you have problems viewing photos, try hitting the "refresh" button on your computer, that should do it. Also, if you're interested, you can click on the appropriate map at the bottom of this page for a closer look at some of the countries I visited)